Colby Covington (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Recently there’s been reports that the UFC was targeting a bout between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington for January, but the latter says he’ll only accept a fight for the undisputed welterweight belt.

Since champion Tyron Woodley is still recovering from a broken thumb, he isn’t able to fight at the January 26th, UFC 233 card. As a result, it’s been reported the UFC might move forward with another interim title.

More recently, MMA Junkie spoke with Covington, and the now former interim champ had this to say about his next bout:

“I’m big into being a man of my word and promises made, promises kept. I expect the same in return from the UFC,” Covington said. “They promised me Tyron Woodley and a fight for the undisputed belt. Since that belt is disputed by me currently, that’s all I’m accepting. Doesn’t matter if it’s Mickey Mouse with the belt – then that’s who I want.”

“(UFC President) Dana (White) is saying I had the opportunity at Tyron in Dallas because my health was very, very bad, and I had to get a major surgery done, but that was Woodley’s plan by design,” Covington claimed, “to get me on a short camp, not healthy, off of a five-round world title fight after he was out 13 months, fresh.”

Covington won the interim title in June by defeating Rafael dos Anjos, but after he passed on fighting Woodley in September due to pending, nasal surgery, he was stripped of the interim belt.